KATHMANDU: Barely days into office, newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadakraj Paudel, popularly known as Ganesh Paudel, has held an extensive consultation with stakeholders from across Nepal's tourism sector, signalling an intent to move quickly on long-standing industry concerns.

Paudel, who assumed office at Singha Durbar on March 27 hours after taking the oath of office and secrecy from President Ramchandra Paudel at Sheetal Niwas, had told ministry staff on his first day that the tourism ministry was close to his heart. "I am myself a writer and a trekker, so I am familiar with the problems of this sector," he said, vowing to make the ministry the starting point of Nepal's prosperity blueprint.

The stakeholder consultation, coordinated by the Tourism Department of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and attended by RSP Tourism Department Chief Suman Pandey and Bagmati Province Head Laxman Sitaula among others, centred heavily on bringing Pokhara and Bhairahawa international airports to full operational capacity — a recurring frustration for the industry given that both airports have struggled to attract adequate international traffic since their inauguration.

Participants were united in the view that unlocking the potential of the two airports would be among the most impactful steps Nepal could take to strengthen its tourism sector. 

Suggestions were also put forward on measures to strengthen the Nepal Airlines Corporation, whose fleet expansion has long been stalled.

The minister has already identified air connectivity as his most urgent priority, committing to accelerate the expansion of Nepal's air links and fast-track aircraft additions to the national carrier's fleet.

Beyond airports, the consultation touched on digital promotion, with participants discussing plans to expand Nepal's reach in international markets through social media, websites, and online marketing platforms.